University of Alabama Iranian Students Voice Concerns: Immigration Crackdown Mirrors Repression in Iran

A Disturbing Trend Among International Students in the U.S.

Sama Ebrahimi Bajgani and her fiancé, Alireza Doroudi, had just celebrated the Persian New Year at the University of Alabama when seven armed immigration officers arrived at their doorstep. The couple’s life changed in an instant.

“I was living a normal life until that night. Now, nothing feels normal,” Bajgani shared.

News of Doroudi’s arrest spread quickly through the Iranian community in Tuscaloosa. Fellow students expressed fear, feeling pressured to “lay low” and avoid drawing attention. This atmosphere of anxiety has replaced the once vibrant academic life of the community.

Doroudi is not alone. Many international students in the U.S. have faced similar fates amid President Trump’s immigration policies. Bajgani noted that the couple remains confused about Doroudi’s deportation case. She felt that the university’s response lacked urgency, especially after Trump’s recent visit.

A close friend of Doroudi, another Iranian student, revealed the emotional toll of the situation. “I’ve lost over 10 pounds due to stress and depression since his detention,” he said. He now avoids going out, fearing even minor interactions could lead to deportation.

Doroudi, a 32-year-old mechanical engineering student from Shiraz, Iran, came to the U.S. legally in January 2023. He balanced a demanding study schedule with work, dedicating time to help friends and family.

“If someone like him can’t succeed here, what does the American dream even mean?” Bajgani questioned.

After his visa was unexpectedly revoked in June 2023, the university assured him he could stay as long as he remained a student, but he risked not being able to return if he left. This was the context in which immigration officers arrested him.

Though the University of Alabama declined to comment on his specific case, they emphasized their commitment to supporting international students. University spokesperson Monica Watt stated, “Our international students are valued members of our campus community.”

Doroudi spent three days in a county jail, enduring a panic-inducing environment. Now, he is in an immigration facility in Louisiana, awaiting a deportation hearing. “I didn’t deserve this. I never broke the law,” he said in a letter he dictated to Bajgani.

Statistics reveal that over 1,000 international students across the U.S. have faced similar visa revocations since March. Many of these cases are connected to activism, with some students participating in protests regarding international issues.

International students make up a significant portion of the University of Alabama’s graduate program—over 13%, with more than 100 from Iran alone. Traditionally, these students bond over festivals like Sizdah Bedar, a day for celebrating the Persian New Year. However, this year, the atmosphere was heavy, with one student describing the gathering as “feeling like a funeral.”

Students now express fear about their futures. “It feels like we’re returning to Iran,” one student lamented, reflecting on the challenges of living authentically in this new environment.

This situation highlights the rising tension for international students in the U.S., as policies and societal attitudes shift. Personal stories like Doroudi’s underscore the urgent need for dialogue around immigration reform and the importance of supporting vulnerable communities.

For further insights on international students facing visa issues in the U.S., refer to this report.

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Race and ethnicity, Politics, Colleges and universities, Immigration, Education, Washington news, General news, U.S. news, Article, 121422476